photos courtesy of m.c.c._photography
A decade ago, James Monroe stood at the top of the Class AA volleyball world in West Virginia.
Following a short stint in Class A the last few years, the Mavericks have returned to AA under the new classification system that added a fourth class and once again, the ladies from Lindside have their eyes on a state title.
“We are moving up to double-A and our girls have not seen a lot of these teams, but the girls are excited,” head coach Julie Bradley said. “They are excited to move up and give it a try. They have big goals and they know where they want to be come November.”
Last year in Class A, James Monroe compiled a 38-5 record and advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament.
The good news for the Mavs is the fact that the majority of those players return, losing only four players to graduation. However, those seniors played a key role in the successful season a year ago.
“Those girls (Lindsey Dunbar, Morgan Vass, Paige Amos and LeiAnn Richmond) may not have started, but they were the heart and soul of that team and kept everything together. They were in charge of things,” Bradley said. “Last year’s team was tight knit and this team is too. They understand that the team chemistry is so important.”
The 2024 team has had some challenges over the summer, but has battled through those difficulties to hit the court swinging.
“We have had some challenges over the summer with not being able to use the school while some modifications were made. We focused on weight lifting and conditioning. We played some pickle ball which was fun,” Bradley said. “They have been busy this summer also with travel volleyball and travel basketball. The good thing is they seem to have picked right up where they left off last November. Some of them are stronger because of the weight lifting.”
Juniors Aliyah Clarkson and Ava Pitzer, along with senior Maggie Boroski, each earned all-state honors last year and lead a powerful attack for James Monroe this season.
The athletic trio combined for over 1,000 kills across 116 sets played, but each one provide far more than just swings to the Maverick attack.
Clarkson recorded 111 aces, 277 digs and 267 receptions, while Pitzer dropped 86 aces, had 341 digs and 426 receptions. Boroski, who was also a first team all-state basketball selection, had 68 winners, 279 digs and 273 receptions.
The Dunlap sisters, Ava (senior) and Mya (sophomore), patrolled the middle last year with nearly 160 combined kills, while frustrating opposing hitters with their length.
Bradley is hoping that blocking will be a key strength for her team, anchored by the dynamic sister duo.
“Aliyah seems a little taller and Mya seems taller. (Junior) Sadie (Mann) has grown. They have all grown a little bit and they are stronger,” Bradley said. “Ava Pitzer, where she played travel ball, she has worked on her blocking as well. Aliyah and Maggie have also been working on blocking middle and we are working on our double blocking. We are working to get our legs about us and getting together. A year of experience will help Mya.”
Sadie Mann is another versatile athlete for the Mavericks who will play an even bigger role this year.
“Sadie has really worked on swinging every time when she in on the outside trying to go through blocks,” Bradley said. “She is not as tall as most, but she knows she has to get it in there hard and get the ball down.”
Senior Hannah Rhodes, who is likely headed to Concord University, and junior Skylar Clarkson with be the table setters for the powerful James Monroe attack. Rhodes had 523 assists last year, while Clarkson had over 350 assists. Both players recorded over 100 digs as well.
“Both of them have a tough job because they have several places to go with the ball,” Bradley said.
One of the biggest positives for the Mavericks will be depth and versatility this year.
“Reagan Whitt is another hitter that can play front and back row. She is right there with them,” Bradley said. “Haleigh Mann is our libero and she has really picked it up this year. I am hoping to utilize our depth more this year by getting them all some time on the floor. I want to let them play and hit it as hard as they can. They like doing that.”
The schedule for James Monroe has some meat to it this year with the team competing at the Philip Barbour Tournament, the Herbert Hoover Tournament, the Buffalo Tournament and the Coalfield Conference Tournament at Westside High School.
James Monroe will also honor that 2014 state championship team on Sept. 3 during a tri-match with Greenbrier West and Williamstown.
